Defence chiefs have slashed funding for Army regimental museums, triggering fears that Scotland will lose its links to military history.

Veterans are outraged that the MoD are cutting funding, saying it could spark a recruitment drop in traditional heartlands.

The Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen is due to lose its funding later this year. But more could face the axe as the MoD said they will fund only one museum for each of the current British Army regiments.

The MoD are reducing the number of museums they fund from 67 to 36 over the next 10 years.

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Captain Doug Beattie won the Military Cross in 2006 for bravery while serving in Afghanistan and retired after 27 years in the Army.

He said: “Sadly, we are losing our footprint around the country. We are losing our roots in areas where we might have recruited quite heavily in the past.”

The Gordon Highlanders Museum will lose about £20,000 worth of funding each year when the cuts come into force in April.

The museum’s chief executive Bryan Snelling said the attraction would stay open but warned it could close in the future.

Colonel Richard Kemp says the cuts are detrimental

He said: “The support we have had from the MoD in recent years has been limited, amounting to about £20,000 per annum. We’ve been aware that our funding wouldn’t be continued beyond April for a number of years and have been planning for this outcome.

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“While it would have been nice to have continued to receive the funding from the MoD, the museum is in a good position because of our planning.

“Its future is not in danger due to the withdrawal of the MoD funding.”

The museum – which has won numerous awards and is one of only two five-star visitor attractions in Aberdeen – tells the military history of the regiment, once hailed by Winston Churchill as the “finest” in the world.

Many military museums are joining together to share premises to preserve their collections.

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Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded British forces in Afghanistan, said: “The cuts are detrimental in terms of local people understanding what the forces are doing for them and it could also impact recruitment.”

The news triggered a storm online. Dave Marshall wrote: “Another blow to our history. We should be showing more of it, not less. There’s an idea for recruitment adverts – history, pride, unity and professionalism = the best.”

The MoD said: “We recognise the important contribution made by these museums in preserving military heritage and acting as the bridge between communities and the Army.

“This is why, irrespective of funding, they will continue to receive support and have close ties with their associated regiment.”